Despite being shorthanded, the UTEP men's basketball team won its third straight with a 70-61 win against NC Central in the opening round of the WestStar Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational at the Don Haskins Center.
UTEP will play Bradley at 7 p.m. Wednesday for the championship. UTEP was led by Keonte Kennedy's 27 points. The Miners were without center Tydus Verhoeven (concussion) and guard Souley Boum (illness).
Miners with solid first half
The Miners took a 33-26 lead at halftime behind 14 points from Kennedy, who made 5 of 8 from the field. Guard Jorel Satterfield added eight points and the Miners had one turnover in the opening 20 minutes.